Question

What is responsible for the smell of rotten eggs and has 16 protons?

1) Oxygen
2) Sulfur
3) Hydrogen
4) Carbon

Answer 1

The gas responsible for the smell of rotten eggs is hydrogen sulfide, which includes sulfur with 16 protons. Sulfur is the correct answer to the student's question.

Step-by-step explanation:

The substance responsible for the smell of rotten eggs is hydrogen sulfide, a compound composed of hydrogen and sulfur. The element that has 16 protons is sulfur. This means the correct answer is option 2) Sulfur.

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a colorless gas notorious for its offensive odor reminiscent of rotten eggs, found in hot springs and produced by bacterial decomposition of organic matter. It is highly toxic, comparable to hydrogen cyanide, and can paralyze the olfactory nerves, rendering the smell undetectable after brief exposure. Therefore, safety precautions are imperative when handling it. Notably, compounds containing sulfur and hydrogen are referred to as sulfur hydrogen compounds.